Mr Fallon, the former x-Defence Secretary, said: “An increase would be outrageous. After having their trains cancelled or delayed, the chaos of the timetabling, passengers would rightly see this as a kick in a teeth.

Some MPs have privately called for the sacking of Transport Secretary Chris Grayling over his handling of the timetable mess in June

Former Tory chairman Grant Shapps added: “Given this year’s lamentable performance there’s never been a more appropriate time to freeze fares.”

Fares are due to rise in January by 3.2 per cent – based on inflation figures in August. At the time Transport Secretary Chris Grayling called on unions to do more to rein in wage hikes for train drivers and guards.

Take a tour of the brand new trains coming to London’s Elizabeth line

MPs have privately called for his head over the chaos on Northern Rail and Southern since a timetabling fiasco that erupted in June. The Tory veteran was also forced to re-nationalise the East Coast Mainline in May.

Last month he said he was “really sorry” for the chaos on Britain’s railways after a damning report attacked his lack of leadership.

Fares have risen by 42 per cent since 2008. A Peterborough to Kings Cross season ticket already costs £6,540 a year.

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Ex-Chancellor George Osborne capped rail fare hikes in 2014 and 2015.

Tim Loughton, former Children’s Minister and MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, stormed: “My constituents’ patience ran out long ago.

“Whether it’s talking about Southern timetable chaos or Chris Grayling vacillating about who has the know how to run the operator, the least he can do is to make sure train fares are frozen this year so we don’t add further insult to injury.”

THE SUN SAYS: SIMPLY UNFARE

RAIL passengers have suffered a year of the purest hell. A price hike will be a ­disgusting new kick in the teeth.

Our trains are a shambles for an advanced economy of our size. There should be no excuse for cancelling ­regular services and advising peak-time commuters “not to travel”.

The misery — and the damage to the economy — are immense.

To then put fares up 3.2 per cent in January, as planned, rubs salt in the wounds. And it plays into the hands of those misguided enough to think nationalisation is the answer.

Hard though it is to believe, trains were worse before privatisation.

The Government should freeze prices for a year.

The train companies need to grasp the anger their incompetence is generating.